***The stigma surrounding Actors accepting Background/Extra work is ridiculous, in my opinion." This week I was offered two days of being a Background Performer (an Extra) role on a Hollywood production/film being shot in Toronto. I accepted. Of course this is not my favourite role to play BUT I love being on set and of course, more money is always good. I didn't even know what the movie was and for the most part, I usually don't care. Last night, the AD's walked into holding and started looking around and pointing to different people. One of the AD's knew me and said to the others "Wait, Randy is here." They called me over and offered me a small ACTOR role with dialogue as a reporter. THEN I was asked to contribute more and given free-reign to ad-lib throughout the scene making me now, a PRINCIPAL Performer... For those who do not know, from Background Performer to Principal Performer is a HUGE difference in pay. Especially for an American production. There are several of us actors (with respectable resumés and work experience) who have put our egos in our pockets and work in the industry we love, whenever we get a chance. Neil Whitely and I (there are others) have been accepting Background roles for years. We both work as actors regularly for Brainpower. Heck, a couple years ago, I accepted Background work on a Brainpower production just so I could get a chance to say Hi to the producers. In this particular instance, a few days later I was offered a couple days work as an actor on Brainpower's next production! Several of my Hollywood acting credits have been "upgrades" I received while on set doing Background roles. These series/films are often productions I can't get auditions for, due to reasons not worth mentioning. (Umbrella Academy, Designated Survivor, etc) MY POINT IS... I was on the field therefore I got the opportunity to play in the game. "Some days I am a star. Other days I am a team player." I am proud to work in the industry I love. Keep your eyes peeled for the new "Trump" film coming out in the near future starring Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong............. and yours truly 😎

Posted by Randy Thomas at 2024-01-19 18:32:39 UTC